(A/N-dialogue in italics is where Elvish is being spoken)
Chapter Thirty Five-Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Once we had been shown our rooms, and had cleaned up and changed, Glorfindel turned to me.
"Meleth nîn, we will need to give all our support and love to Elrond, Estel and Arwen during this time. Elrond will be feeling the loss of losing Arwen, Estel knows what he is taking from Elrond, and Arwen is caught between both of them," Glorfindel said.
I nodded and held his face in my hands, "Baby, Arwen is going into this marriage with eyes wide open. She knows what she is doing and has accepted the consequences. The only thing we can do is offer our support for the pain Elrond is feeling, but celebrate the love that is joining these two people together. There is always going to be pain. Suffering is inevitable, even during happy times, but we should not forget these are still happy times. Everyone needs to remember that while there is loss, it is merely a result of change which is constant in the universe. I believe you must embrace change, and accept it wholeheartedly in order to be able to accept the results change causes."
Glorfindel kissed my nose, "Always the philosopher. Were you like this on Earth?"
I laughed, "I was worse. I always waxed on about life and the state of being, boring the crap out of everyone within earshot."
Glorfindel wrinkled his nose, "I am sure no one was bored when you spoke. Perhaps they did not understand the concepts you spoke on."
"Nope. They were bored. I know bored when I see it. Plus, my older brother would tell me to shut up. If that isn't a sign that they don't want to listen, I don't know what would be more obvious," I replied.
A knock at the door interrupted our conversation and I went to open it. Legolas and Gimli stood outside and were smiling broadly.
"Come in, come in. It is good to see you two again," I stepped aside and waved them in.
Glorfindel grinned at the two entering our suite and held out his arms, "Mellyn nîn, it is so good to see you!" He clapped their shoulders heartily and motioned them to be seated in the chairs around the empty fireplace.
Once we were all seated, Legolas looked across at Glorfindel and me and smiled.
"Gimli and I heard from Elladan and Elrohir that you are bonded and wed. May we be the first to congratulate you both," he said.
Gimli interrupted, "Yes lassie. You surprised us all by marrying this eternal bachelor. I dinna think he was capable of settling down."
I grinned, "You know I am thirty-six. I'm no spring chicken and I have never married before either. Shouldn't you change that to two eternal bachelors? Believe me, I had no prospects on Earth. I found my fëa mate here in Arda. Talk about impossible odds."
Legolas laughed, "Eru would not have sent you here if He had not planned it thus."
"Does everyone in the Fellowship know we are wed?" I asked.
"Aye lassie. Aragorn wasn't present, but I am sure that Lady Arwen has given him the news by now," Gimli confirmed.
"How was the coronation? I'm sorry I didn't get to see it, but I'm sure it was great," I asked.
Legolas spoke up, "All the people of Minas Tirith turned out and cheered him on. It was a momentous occasion."
Glorfindel nodded, "It is too bad we were not there, however we are here now for the wedding tomorrow. A'maelamin, perhaps you should go see to Arwen. I am sure she would appreciate your assistance."
I stood and kissed Glorfindel's cheek, "All right. Does anyone know where she could be right now?"
Gimli got up, "I will take you lassie. Let the elf here get caught up on elf matters. Perhaps we could find some refreshment along the way."
Glorfindel stood up and bid me farewell and Legolas rose to his feet and kissed my hand.
"I will see you later at the feast," Legolas said smiling.
"All right. I'll be back to change for dinner baby," I said to Glorfindel.
As we left the room I heard Legolas say, "Why does she refer to you as a baby? You are older than almost everyone here."
Gimli chuckled as we walked down the myriad of halls, "You have terms of endearment for him already, hmmm? Are you planning to start a family yet?"
I was taken aback, "Family, good lord Gimli. We got married June 6th! It's only been twenty-four days! Not even a month! Give us some time already."
Gimli laughed, "Yes, and some would be with child a week into the marriage, so perhaps you are falling behind!"
I snorted, "Gimli, if you don't drop the subject, I won't tell you all about my adventures in beer."
Gimli's eyes brightened and he looked up at me, "Beer? Well why dinnya say so lassie? What's this about beer?"
I drew a deep breath, "There was beer, and loads of it. I could've drowned in the stuff when we were in Edoras. I am positive they drained the breweries dry with all the beer they had on tap for the couple of days we were there."
Gimli smiled appreciatively, "Ahhh, Edoras. Now they know how to treat a person. Lovely beer and no end in sight. Merry, Pip and I enjoyed ourselves immensely while we were there."
"Beer for breakfast Gimli?" I asked with a grin.
"Not quite, but I'm sure they would've given it to us if we had asked," Gimli got a nostalgic look on his face, "Now, here is the door to Arwen's rooms. I'm off to see about obtaining some of that lovely nectar," Gimli patted my back and wandered down the hall.
I turned to the door and gave a couple of knocks on the heavy wood. It was a moment before the door swung open and one of Arwen's maidservants stood before me.
"I wish to speak to Lady Arwen. Is she available right now?" I asked politely.
I heard a rustle of fabric and then Arwen appeared.
"Karyn! I am so glad to see you. Come in. I have a dilemma I think you can help me solve," she dragged me through the door and into the bedroom area.
There were at least five dresses spread out all over the bed and the chairs in the room.
"All right. I need to pick out something to wear to the welcoming feast tonight and something to wear tomorrow morning before I get ready for the wedding," she explained.
She held up one of the dresses and looked at me quizzically, "I am partial to this blue one, but then the silver is lovely as well."
I looked over the colours and styles. They were all lovely and were obviously Elven made, as they didn't have the same modest style I had seen on the ladies around the city as we came in. I picked up the silver and held it up. I decided it was a bit too low in the neckline for these kind of people. I had to assume that since the clothes were reserved and didn't show too much cleavage, the people were probably pretty reserved too. I held up a dark blue one which had a bit higher neckline, but was still a little low. I looked at the accessories lying on a table nearby and picked out a cream scarf.
"Here. This is modest and you can tuck the scarf into the neckline to make it a little more appropriate for the tastes of these people. I'll have to do the same. I have a strong sense that the people of Minas Tirith are a bit reserved, and I don't think it's appropriate to wear garments they are unaccustomed to. You will have time to ease them into a different style sense, but tonight I think modesty is probably key," I explained.
Arwen smiled, "You noticed that as well? Yes, the blue will be fine with a scarf for tonight, but what should I wear in the morning for breakfast? I will have to start preparing for the ceremony after the meal, as we are marrying just after mid-day meal, so I was thinking of something light and airy."
"Oh, uh…how about the burgundy? You'll need a scarf again, but it's a good morning colour. Then you can change into your wedding dress afterwards. You'll have your mid-day meal in your rooms correct? I mean, to keep tradition," I explained.
"What tradition?" Arwen asked.
"The one where the groom isn't supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck you know," I added.
Arwen laughed, "But I will see Estel at breakfast."
"Bloody hell, I didn't say it was perfect. It's just a tradition. Maybe you should stay in your rooms until the wedding ceremony," I mused.
Arwen laughed, "We are following elvish tradition, so tomorrow, I will eat breakfast with my family and friends, and then I will retire to my rooms to ready for the ceremony. I am only eating mid-day meal in my suite to assist in efficiency. Will you be there to help me?"
"Of course I will. Will Lady Galadriel be joining us?" I asked.
"Yes, Grandmother will be helping me with my bridal trousseau," Arwen confirmed.
We spent the afternoon laughing and talking and confiding in each other about our respective loves. Our girly afternoon concluded after Arwen had tried on the gown she was to wear to the feast, and a maidservant had come in to announce dinner was to be served in an hour. I made my apologies and retreated out of Arwen's rooms back into the hall, to try and find my rooms. The maidservant followed me out and was standing beside me when I turned around.
"Pardon me, but do you know where my rooms are? I seem to have gotten slightly turned around and I'm not quite sure where I am supposed to go," I asked.
The maidservant curtseyed quickly, "Of course milady. Please follow me. You are the wife of the Elf Lord Glorfindel, are you not?"
"Yes, do you know where I am supposed to go to get back to my rooms?" I asked.
"Yes milady. I will take you back to your husband," she walked quickly off in the opposite direction I was standing in.
I followed her down the halls, almost at a trot to keep up with her. We weaved our way through the halls until she stopped in front of a door that looked exactly like every other door. Knocking she entered, beckoning me to follow.
"My lord," she curtseyed low, "You lady wife has arrived." She moved aside and I walked into the room.
I was relieved to note I was back in my rooms and Glorfindel was standing in front of me with an amused look on his face.
"Thank you, I am sorry. What is your name?" Glorfindel asked, nodding to the maidservant.
She blushed profusely and stammered, "I am Clauriel my lord. If you would excuse me, I have duties to complete before the feast."
Glorfindel nodded and smiled as she backed out of the room, closing the door in her wake.
"Meleth nîn, I hope you enjoyed your visit with Arwen. You will need to get ready for the feast. Please allow me to help you," he walked over to me and clasping my hand, took me to a newly drawn bath.
"Oh, a bath. That sounds heavenly. I need to work out a knot in my shoulder…" I trailed off as Glorfindel undressed me and helped me into the bath.
I was washed carefully with every nook and cranny cleaned and my shoulders rubbed gently. I was caught between wanting to make love to my husband and taking a nap from the relaxed state he had put me in. Glorfindel helped me out of the bath and dried me off, kissing a trail up to my throat from my lower regions.
"Oh Glorfindel," I softly moaned.
"I cannot go any farther melethril, for you must be ready to leave in less than half and hour. I apologize for taking this too far, but I cannot help but desire my wife," he whispered in my ear.
He moved over to a chair where he picked up a dark green gown and brought it over to me. He helped me get into it, placing a cream coloured scarf around my décolletage, and then did up the ties finally turning me around to face him.
"May I braid your hair? It has gotten longer and it is now much easier to braid than it was when you first came to me," he remarked.
I moved over to the chair and sat down, letting Glorfindel run a comb through my hair. I relaxed as his fingers ran through my tresses and began braiding an intricate design. My eyes were closed and I was drifting off, when I felt the hands stop and move away from me. I couldn't open my eyes before I felt Glorfindel move to my feet, sliding some soft leather shoes onto them. I dragged my eyes open and saw him kneeling against me, his hands on my lap.
"We should be going lirimaer. We should make a timely appearance before Arwen arrives," he helped me up and we walked out of our rooms.
The feast was a huge event. Hundreds of people, Elves and Men, were seated at long tables in the Great Hall. Garlands of summer flowers hung over our heads and the entire Hall was lit in the soft glow of candlelight. Glorfindel and I were seated at a table with the Fellowship, Faramir, Eowyn and Eomer; and we chatted amicably until the procession of the King (it was odd to think of Estel as King), and Arwen, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, and the twins entered. Everyone in the Hall stood and watched as Estel took his place at the centre of the head table; with Arwen to his right, Elrond on his left, and the twins beside him; and with Galadriel and Celeborn beside Arwen. Once the King had been seated, everyone else sat down and the feast began.
Great roasts, platters of vegetables, and tureens of soup were all served at the feast. I found it funny that salad hadn't made an appearance in Arda for feasts, as it was such a staple at dinner banquets on Earth. No rubber chicken either. Not that I missed that. Minas Tirith served wine with meals, which was a welcome respite from the beer drowning I had endured in Edoras. Don't get me wrong, I like beer. I am from British Columbia after all, and we drink a huge amount of beer per capita; but I'm a wine person. I prefer that beverage during meals, and keep the beer for hockey games and sunny patios on hot summer afternoons. That isn't how the rest of my family feels. My older brother thinks beer is a beverage best served cold. Meaning, anytime, anywhere, and any place you can get it.
I was told by Glorfindel that Estel's name as King was Elessar, it acted as a last name, and it meant elfstone. Arwen was marrying the first King that Gondor had seen for millennia, and the occasion was definitely auspicious. I was so happy for my friends. Arwen had become my best girlfriend here in Arda, and she knew more about me than anyone save Glorfindel. I teared up frequently when I saw the love that passed between the happy couple. I wished them all the happiness and joy for their marriage. Glorfindel told me that they had been in love for sixty-eight years but had been betrothed for thirty-nine, having first met in 2951 in Imladris, and becoming betrothed in 2980 at Cerin Amroth in Lothlórien. I couldn't imagine having to wait so long for my love to marry me, but apparently Elrond had said Arwen wouldn't marry anyone less than the King of Gondor and Arnor. Glorfindel told me that Estel was prophesied to be that King, and that is why the betrothal was so protracted. I said that there was a line from Earth that said, "…when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." My argument was for being with the one you loved without delay. Glorfindel asked me who said that, and I explained Harry Burns said that to Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally. Glorfindel just looked at me like I was a bit odd.
Frodo and Sam were really quiet throughout the feast, even though everyone had tried to engage them in conversation. I felt pain deeper than the physical, radiate from them and knew it may permeate their souls for the rest of their lives. I was happy they had made it out of their ordeal alive, but I ached for them, and wished I could carry their burdens for them.
The feast lasted well into the night, with dancing and laughter heard into the wee hours. Glorfindel took me back to our rooms just after midnight, so we could rest up for the busyness of the next day. We fell asleep listening to happy laughter and shouts echo across the courtyard as the party wore on.
Meleth nîn-my love
Melethril-lover
Lirimaer-lovely one
A'maelamin-my beloved
Mellyn nîn-my friends